129 - Pieces of the Broken Glass Slipper
Shattered Glass Slipper Shards Chapter 129
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At that moment, the sound of a t’ryun (=ukulele) being played, from who knows where, sliced through the night sky and echoed faintly. Carrying a cheerful rhythm, it had a lighthearted tone, as if it were a dance tune.
“You may continue to think of me as a scoundrel. It is something I can sufficiently endure, as long as you do not let go of this hand, my lady. Therefore, please consider that I am daring to commit such rudeness.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than he grabbed me and moved his body. Sir Halberd was leading me gently, as if he intended to dance to the t’ryun music.
I stared at him with a bewildered expression. I was taking steps to follow him, led by his sudden movement, but I couldn’t understand why he was suddenly dancing.
After all, we had just been having a serious conversation about whether or not to avoid each other.
I couldn’t help but be flustered as he seamlessly changed the subject like a snake slithering over a wall, and even started dancing unexpectedly.
What on earth is he thinking? More than that, why is this man increasingly deviating from the image I know?
But as I moved according to his touch, I felt foolish for worrying about how to avoid this situation. At some point, my heart, which had started to pound, was whispering that the warmth conveyed from our touching hands was more important.
The realization that I was able to enjoy the dance that had only been allowed to Roena in the past, now that I had returned, consumed my mind.
This belated emotion spread like a sweet poison. My thoughts seemed to be paralyzed by the man’s solid scent that rushed in from the tip of my nose.
“Sir, what is this? Why?”
However, I still had questions, so I barely managed to open my mouth and ask him. It was impossible for a proper question to come out due to my bewilderment, but I had no choice.
I had only spat out a few words that could form a sound.
Fortunately, it seemed that the intended meaning was conveyed, as Sir Lustewin Halberd gave a soft smile and answered in a whisper.
“Isn’t tonight the last night of the Founding Day? So I dared to be greedy. More than anything, I thought you would continue to be confused and leave if I didn’t do this.”
Before I knew it, the surroundings had darkened, and a single moon floated above our heads, emitting a faint light. The music that had moved his feet was also gradually fading away.
The only thing that could be heard clearly was the sound of our breathing. It was around this time that Sir Halberd kissed the back of my hand that he was holding again.
“I implore you once more, my lady, please do not reject me and run away. You may even pity me.”
Suddenly, the Floral Crown he had given me flickered before my eyes. The kiss sprinkled on the back of my hand was traveling through my veins towards my heart. Then, where would this earnest voice, this tone, settle?
Overwhelmed with fear, I lowered my head and pressed my lips with my teeth. My throat was burning, and I couldn’t utter a word.
In the past, I hated uncontrolled changes. I was frustrated by unexpected choices many times, because good results always went to Roena in the end.
So I wanted everything to happen within the level of common sense that I knew. I tried to lead things as I wanted, even to the point of being abusive to those around me.
It was truly a pathetic struggle that only a defeated dog could show. That was why I had tried to make small changes to match the future I knew now that I had returned.
But now I have to admit it. No, I must. Everything is not the same as before, and the future I know is like a fickle girl who can change her attitude at any time.
The current Sir Halberd was much more fluid and unpredictable than I knew him to be before I returned. Thinking that I knew him because I had experienced him once was like grabbing only one part of a tangled string and shouting that I had untied all the knots.
I had also overlooked the fact that others could be different, just as I had become a different person after returning. It was a blunder of narrowed vision due to prejudice.
Therefore, I had to realize that situations like this could happen enough, and that it also depended on how I accepted them.
Of course, all of this required great courage, but the ecstasy of experiencing what Roena might have gone through was offsetting all the anxiety, worry, and fear.
Was it because I thought this way? My heart gradually calmed down, and the breath that had been so blocked that it felt like I was going to have difficulty breathing gradually opened up. The blurred vision was also clearing up. I finally felt like I had truly returned.
I opened my mouth in a calm voice and said.
“Yes.”
It was a pathetic answer considering the courage I had mustered, but anyone would have made the same choice as me. Because any further additions were unnecessary.
Above all, no one in the world could dare to guess how much courage it took to utter this sound, which was only a single word.
Even a god could not stand as firmly as I do now. The sweet worshiper of fate was here.
Of course, it doesn’t mean that I will have the same feelings as before. My own self is too much to handle to change suddenly. It was just a pledge not to avoid it.
Isn’t it a great change just to have made a small declaration to see him as he is now, not the previous Sir Halberd? Even though the memories of the failed past are still holding me back.
However, Sir Halberd smiled brightly, as if he had the whole world, despite my insignificant answer. His deeply curved eyes and widely raised lips formed a harmony, becoming a fully bloomed flower itself.
“This is the happiest Founding Day night of my life.”
After a while, the Knight of Clear Hearing whispers. He’s pretending not to be, but judging by the fact that the tips of his fingers holding my hand are trembling, Sir Halberd must have been very nervous as well.
Just as I felt fear, this man must have been anxious that he would be rejected again. So he must be smiling happily, as if he had the whole world, even at the sound of just a single answer. Just like I used to.
“I respectfully request again. Would you dance with me?”
But as if he was sure that I would no longer run away, he took a bow and offered me his hand. The hand extended politely was filled with some kind of expectation and excitement.
“Yes.”
I answered in a small voice and placed my hand on Sir Halberd’s hand. The sound of the t’ryun had long since stopped, but we moved very slowly, as if we were listening to the same music. Under the faint moonlight, a dance party just for him and me was being held.
Over the quiet courtyard, our breaths intertwined, and our shadows were bound and released as if they were one.
A cold wind was tickling my cheeks, but the gaze we shared was so hot that I couldn’t even feel my toes turning blue.
All my senses were focused on his hand holding my waist, the face I was facing, and the gentle smile that bloomed.
Therefore, no matter how splendid any banquet in the world may be, it will not have the same romance and sweetness as now. The best dance party of my life was here.
In that way, the last night of the Founding Day deepened. Holding one truth, one realization, and one heart.
